Greek marbles

Wise Words: marbles

This time the Greeks really have lost their marbles.

Lord Elgin removed a collection of Greek marbles from the Acropolis back in the beginning of the 19th century. They are on display now in the British Museum. This fact still drives many Greeks crazy, but this week they seem to have lost another complete set of marbles: their senses.

The expression "lose one's marbles" has nothing to do with the Acropolis. It probably comes from the child’s game of marbles. If you lose your marbles in the game, you cannot continue to play — and are forced to watch others play. If you lose your marbles in a metaphorical sense, you lose your mind, or your mental faculties, and are unable to participate in the game of life.

The Greeks who were demonstrating in Athens this week and who caused the death of three innocent bank employees really have lost touch with reality. They are a minority, but they are ruining the chance of economic recovery for the rest of the population. They're ruining modern Athens and turning the city into ruins. Who will want to visit Greek ruins — modern or ancient — after this?

I flew to Athens on Tuesday evening, touching down just before Greek airspace was closed for at least 24 hours as the air traffic controllers were going on strike. I sat next to a sweet old American couple who were excited about travelling to Greece. They knew about Greece’s debt crisis — but as they were from California, which is also in financial dire straits, they didn’t think it necessary to cancel their trip.

Closed for business

Their hotel is right on Syntagma Square, where protesters have been smashing up marble pavements to use as missiles against policemen. What kind of message will the couple take back to other potential American tourists?

I imagine if anyone asks them about the best way to experience the Acropolis at the moment, they’ll probably tell them to go straight to the British Museum. And who could blame them?

Closer look

If you don't know the history behind the Parthenon Marbles, watch the following video for a simple and amusing introduction to the story. I also think the marbles should be returned to Athens, especially because the New Acropolis Museum is the perfect place for them to be on display — but only after everyone has calmed down.